The Royal Ocean racing Club today announced a change to the class rating bands for the 2010 Rolex Commodores' Cup. The lower limit of Class 1 has been lowered by 10 points from 1.120 to 1.110. The rating bands for classes 2 and 3 remain unchanged.

Eddie Warden Owen, RORC CEO, explained the thinking behind the change: "We have become aware that many countries have struggled to find competitive Class 1 boats and by lowering the bottom rating limit of Class 1 and creating an overlap between classes 1 and 2 I am sure it will help countries select competitive teams."

"Interest in the event continues to grow from all over the world," explained Eddie. "America, Scandinavia, the Baltic, Germany and South Africa are all assembling competitive teams as IRC continues to grow worldwide."

Read the full details on the Rolex Commodores' Cup Minisite